Leinster v Toulouse

[Leinsterlunatic]

That's interesting, no Daly so.

I don't mean to kick a guy while he's down and I know injuries have played a part but it really looks like we didn't need Tomane. Maybe ROL's appearances at 12 came too late last season, or maybe COB wasn't expected to develop so quickly, but I just can't see where he fits in now, and I was never sure about him being a centre anyway. I'd say he's had a fairly miserable time all things considered, maybe a Kane Douglas style move before the WC might suit everyone.

Are there any more changes now to the Euro Squad or is that it?

[ronk]

Yes can't see where Tomane fits in at the moment, have to agree, easy in hindsight always but with Reid playing well this year, ROL and COB coming on nicely it's hard to see a need.

Still we have recruited well recently, Fardy, Lowe and JGP so it's not always going to work out. Sign that our own production line is in rude health as Tomane is a good player and would happily slot into many a side and make a solid contribution.

Tomane is versatile, and there was room for him in different places, one big one that didnt really happen was covering for Lowe when he was out.

Last 2 seasons we missed Henshaw and the front foot ball he delivered when he was around. This year that hasnt been as much of a problem, but it was right for us to prepare for that.

Larmour would have played a bit more fullback too.

Tomane didn't adapt super well but he had a lot of changes to adapt to and it took Lowe time too. While he's out he can be prepping and conditioning more for our game. He deserves a chance.

[backrower8]

Sign that our own production line is in rude health as Tomane is a good player and would happily slot into many a side and make a solid contribution.

I don't share your view. I did before he joined, based on his CV rather than proper observation, but I saw nothing in his 9 appearances (5 starts & 419 minutes) that came close to matching my expectation of a senior Lenster payer, let alone a marquee signing.

Non-PC as it was to say it, I posted here how I felt uneasy watching how he carried himself in his first game against Cardiff leaving his position, by 20+ metres, to shake hands with Nick Williams as the latter was subbed-off and embracing each of the Cardiff players at the end of the match as if at a family reunion. Nice and all as the man undoubtedly is, those actions, allied by his on-field performances (both that night and what followed thereafter), suggested to me that he was too happy to just be there, making up the numbers, like squad players do in mercenary French teams like Montpellier, and to have landed a contract with Europe's greatest side after being surplus to requirements following two non-descript years with Montpellier.


Nice man, who used to be able to play a bit, but a player well off the mark of his peak and well below the standard our squad - a bad bit of business, as can happen from time-to-time.

[Peg Leg]

That's interesting, no Daly so.

I don't mean to kick a guy while he's down and I know injuries have played a part but it really looks like we didn't need Tomane. Maybe ROL's appearances at 12 came too late last season, or maybe COB wasn't expected to develop so quickly, but I just can't see where he fits in now, and I was never sure about him being a centre anyway. I'd say he's had a fairly miserable time all things considered, maybe a Kane Douglas style move before the WC might suit everyone.

Well given the most recent news, he is probably considering his next step with a close Friend.
That said and all subjective Non-PC b*%&!x aside, I would agree with Ronk IF we are not breaking the bank to hold on to him in place of another year of Rob Kearney for e.g.

[paddyor]

Tomane is versatile, and there was room for him in different places, one big one that didnt really happen was covering for Lowe when he was out.

Last 2 seasons we missed Henshaw and the front foot ball he delivered when he was around. This year that hasnt been as much of a problem, but it was right for us to prepare for that.

Larmour would have played a bit more fullback too.

Tomane didn't adapt super well but he had a lot of changes to adapt to and it took Lowe time too. While he's out he can be prepping and conditioning more for our game. He deserves a chance.

He was also signed to bring a bit of beef and experience to the backline during the AIs, 6N and RWC which all told over 2 years is basically a season worth of league games. We'll be missing between 6-7 of our first choice(and replacements) back line in that period. That he's unavailable due to injury can't be held against him.

Kind of get the impression that the decision to move on from Daly was made a while ago and if I had to guess it had a bit to do with his injury profile.

[nelly the elephant]

Anyone any experience of watching Heineken Cup rugby on TV in South Africa recently?
Is it likely to be broadcast widely or more of a subscription/specialist thing like here?

Thanks in advance.

[Jonny tight lips]

That's interesting, no Daly so.

I don't mean to kick a guy while he's down and I know injuries have played a part but it really looks like we didn't need Tomane. Maybe ROL's appearances at 12 came too late last season, or maybe COB wasn't expected to develop so quickly, but I just can't see where he fits in now, and I was never sure about him being a centre anyway. I'd say he's had a fairly miserable time all things considered, maybe a Kane Douglas style move before the WC might suit everyone.

Are there any more changes now to the Euro Squad or is that it?

We can make 2 more changes before the end of the group stages one of which must be a front row player. Then another three players one of which must be a front row may be registered after the group stages.

[leinsterblueyellow]

I have just received an email re the game for the weekend. It encourages all supporters to wear blue and to get there early and maybe to see the Team bus arrive at 11:30am or so. However I was intrigued by the following sentence

"If you are in the North & South Stands, keep an eye out for the BearingPoint clappers and make as much noise as possible!"

Does anyone know what this means? I would be all for more noise/chants/songs etc... and this looks like a step in the right direction.

[Barry]

I have just received an email re the game for the weekend. It encourages all supporters to wear blue and to get there early and maybe to see the Team bus arrive at 11:30am or so. However I was intrigued by the following sentence

"If you are in the North & South Stands, keep an eye out for the BearingPoint clappers and make as much noise as possible!"

Does anyone know what this means? I would be all for more noise/chants/songs etc... and this looks like a step in the right direction.

also got the following by email from the OLSC which I 100% agree with "we are encouraging all supporters to be in their seats at 12:30pm to create a sea of BLUE". Have a feeling that the team will need the supporters behind them more than ever on Saturday, lets not disappoint.

[IanD]

I have just received an email re the game for the weekend. It encourages all supporters to wear blue and to get there early and maybe to see the Team bus arrive at 11:30am or so. However I was intrigued by the following sentence

"If you are in the North & South Stands, keep an eye out for the BearingPoint clappers and make as much noise as possible!"

Does anyone know what this means? I would be all for more noise/chants/songs etc... and this looks like a step in the right direction.

I wouldn't get too excited.

Bearingpoint are a company.

My guess for Clappers

https://www.promogiftblog.com/2012/03/n ... apper.html

[Angelsea Angst]

Making more noise is definitely a good idea. At one stage the use of Bodhrans was encouraged bit it didn't catch on.

[leinsterblueyellow]

Disappointed that it is a company that produces clappers. I had bigger expectations.

I was at the Toulouse away fixture and they had a section of the ground reserved for their band. They also had in the section behind the goals a set of drummers who orchestrated their chants and songs etc... We are left with Leo the Lion who does a great job both in being funny as well as banging the drum to generate noise but he is only one man.

[mildlyinterested]

the singing section was tried and died a death.

[The Doc]

...but he is only one man.

Lion

[Peg Leg]

Making more noise is definitely a good idea. At one stage the use of Bodhrans was encouraged bit it didn't catch on.

I've said it before on here, but I'll never forget the abuse a pal of mine, with Bodhrán in hand, got at a Gloucester game (06?) in Lansdowne Rd. "Stop that, you're a distraction to the team".
Good idea, bad timing...

[curates_egg]

Luuuke Fitz using his column to call for O'Brien to start against Toulouse.
He has looked great this season but I will be anxious if I see 10-12-13 Byrne-O'Brien-Ringrose (with ROL and Larmour on the wings).
The tealeaves (and the training photos) are starting to make that seem like a distinct possibility though.

[Peg Leg]

Disappointed that it is a company that produces clappers. I had bigger expectations.

I was at the Toulouse away fixture and they had a section of the ground reserved for their band. They also had in the section behind the goals a set of drummers who orchestrated their chants and songs etc... We are left with Leo the Lion who does a great job both in being funny as well as banging the drum to generate noise but he is only one man.

Leo and the organisers need to up their game!

[mildlyinterested]

ROL will be starting at 12.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

...but he is only one man.

Lion

He really is phenomenal. Leinster must pay him in espressos, his energy is amazing and he's really funny.

With his African and Leinster heritage I'm surprised Munster haven't approached him yet...not to mention his pride!

[harblstuff]

Making more noise is definitely a good idea. At one stage the use of Bodhrans was encouraged bit it didn't catch on.

I've said it before on here, but I'll never forget the abuse a pal of mine, with Bodhrán in hand, got at a Gloucester game (06?) in Lansdowne Rd. "Stop that, you're a distraction to the team".
Good idea, bad timing...

More like a distraction to that person's conversation.

Leinster are one of the most professional sporting outfits, a Bodhrán won't put them off.

I find at quite a lot of matches (mainly those in Lansdowne Road that aren't European knock outs) there are people just chatting away, half paying attention to what's going on. It tends to be many of these people complaining if you try to bring in any atmosphere.

I don't know why we can't emulate the French brass bands or something similar, they're brilliant when done well - just don't take the piss with them.